Newhouse Research Site

Newhouse Research Site

Newhouse Research Site
Type	Scientific Research Facility
Country	Scotland
Region	North Lanarkshire
UK Grid square	NS775619
Postcode	ML1 5SH
Parking	500 spaces
55°50′07″N 3°57′22″W / 55.83528°N 3.95611°W / 55.83528; -3.95611Coordinates: 55°50′07″N 3°57′22″W / 55.83528°N 3.95611°W / 55.83528; -3.95611

The Newhouse Research Site is a drug research facility situated 15 miles (24 km) east of Glasgow in central Scotland. It is located beside the M8 motorway in Newhouse, North Lanarkshire. The site is an early drug discovery research centre with a track record of generating a succession of products in the areas of anaesthesia and psychiatry. In 2007, the Royal Society of Chemistry Malcolm Campbell Memorial Prize was awarded to researchers for its work on a new anaesthesia drug, sugamadex.^{[1][not in citation given]} It currently employs 250 scientists across a range of disciplines including medicinal chemistry, molecular biology and drug metabolism. The site is currently the largest private drug discovery centre in Scotland, and one of the biggest in the UK.^{[2][not in citation given]}

History

The 20-acre (8.1 ha) campus was acquired by Organon in 1948 and has continued to grow throughout the years.^[3][4] Scientists at the site are responsible for the invention of a succession of successful products, two of which have recently received approval. Organon was acquired by Schering-Plough in 2007,^[5] and the site was further expanded with the addition of one of the largest compound management facilities in the industry.^[6] Schering-Plough merged with Merck (known as MSD outside of North America) at the end of 2009.^[7]

Products

The site has a long history of research in the area of neuromuscular blockers, which are commonly used during surgery, and was responsible for the identification of rocuronium as well as a number of other drugs.^{[citation needed]} In another major advance the reversal agent sugammadex was the first selective relaxant binding agent (SRBA) for Neuromuscular Block Reversal to be identified,^[8] and has recently entered the market in Europe.^[9] On the psychiatric front researchers at Newhouse supported the development of mirtazepine, a novel tetracyclic anti-depressant which has become widely prescribed throughout the world. More recently the site was closely involved in supporting the introduction of the anti-psychotic asenapine which has just been launched for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.^[10]

Gallery

• 

  Aerial view from the north

• 

  Site boundary

• 

  Site in 1949

• 

  Site in the 1960s

• 

  View from across the pond

• 

  South facing building in the Sun

• 

  South facing building in the evening

• 

  Location of the Newhouse research site, within the United Kingdom

References

1. ^ "RSC award goes to Organon for groundbreaking work". RSC.org. http://www.rsc.org/AboutUs/News/PressReleases/2007/OrganonAward.asp. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
2. ^ "Drug Discovery and Development - The Official Gateway to Scotland". Scotland.org. http://www.scotland.org/features/item/drug-discovery-and-development/. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
3. ^ "Akzo Nobel opens Europe's most advanced research center". Cisionwire.com. http://www.cisionwire.com/akzonobel/akzo-nobel-opens-europe-s-most-advanced-research-center. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
4. ^ "Organon continues to invest in Newhouse Research Centre". Chemie.de. http://www.chemie.de/news/e/54899/. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
5. ^ "Schering-Plough Acquires Organon BioSciences". Medical Net News. 20 November 2007. http://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/11/20/32697.aspx. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
6. ^ "Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI) Invests in Early Drug Discovery Technology". Pharmanews.eu. http://www.pharmanews.eu/schering-plough/114-schering-plough-research-institute-spri-invests-in-early-drug-discovery-technology. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
7. ^ Singer, Natasha (March 10, 2009). "Merck to Buy Schering-Plough for $41.1 Billion". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/business/10drug.html. Retrieved 2009-11-14. 
8. ^ "Org 25969 - the First Selective Relaxant Binding Agent for Neuromuscular Block Reversal Enters Phase 3". Rxpgnews.com. http://www.rxpgnews.com/anesthesia-research/Org_25969_-_the_First_Selective_Relaxant_Binding_A_1545_1545.shtml. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
9. ^ "Bridion (sugammadex) Injection - First And Only Selective Relaxant Binding Agent - Approved In European Union". Medicalnewstoday.com. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/117774.php. Retrieved 2010-11-05. 
10. ^ "Schering-Plough Announces FDA Approval Of Saphris (asenapine) For Acute Treatment Of Schizophrenia In Adults And Manic Or Mixed Episodes Of Bipolar". Medicalnewstoday.com. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160755.php. Retrieved 2010-11-05.